Physics · Class 11 · Chapter 11

Thermodynamics

13 lessons103 min4 simulations10 practice questions

This chapter treats heat as energy and asks what rules govern turning it into work. It begins with thermal equilibrium and the zeroth law, which gives temperature its meaning, then separates internal energy (a property of the state) from heat and work (ways of moving energy). The first law, ΔQ = ΔU + ΔW, is energy conservation; it leads to specific heats, C_p − C_v = R, and the special processes: isothermal, adiabatic, isochoric, isobaric and cyclic. The second law then says what energy conservation alone does not: no engine turns heat wholly into work. The chapter closes with reversible processes and the Carnot engine, whose efficiency 1 − T₂/T₁ is the ceiling for every engine between two temperatures.

Also called: laws of thermodynamics · heat engines · Carnot engine

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Lessons

13 lessons · 103 min

01Heat as energy: what thermodynamics studiesNCERT §11.16 min 02Thermal equilibrium and the zeroth lawNCERT §11.2, §11.36 min 03Internal energy, heat and workNCERT §11.46 min 04First law of thermodynamicsNCERT §11.510 min1 sim 05Specific heat capacityNCERT §11.66 min 06State variables and equation of stateNCERT §11.76 min 07Quasi-static and isothermal processesNCERT §11.8.1, §11.8.26 min 08Adiabatic processNCERT §11.8.39 min1 sim 09Isochoric, isobaric and cyclic processesNCERT §11.8.4, §11.8.5, §11.8.69 min1 sim 10Second law of thermodynamicsNCERT §11.96 min 11Reversible and irreversible processesNCERT §11.105 min 12Carnot engineNCERT §11.1110 min1 sim 13Chapter reviewMust-know facts, traps and formulas18 min

Simulations

4 in this chapter

First law: where does the heat go?In: First law of thermodynamics Isothermal or adiabatic: same gas, two pathsIn: Adiabatic process A cycle on the P–V diagramIn: Isochoric, isobaric and cyclic processes Carnot engine: the ceiling on efficiencyIn: Carnot engine